MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – An accused pedophile was trying to kidnap girls near schools in Miami-Dade County, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
Jackson Etienne was a regular outside of John F. Kennedy Middle School at 10705 NE 167 St., in North Miami Beach, between December and January, police said.
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Students told police officers he was trying to persuade them to get into his car. Students from Sabal Palm Elementary School had the same complaints, and they identified Etienne as the man who was trying to abduct them, prosecutors said.
Etienne, 49, who was already being held on kidnapping and child molestation charges, appeared in Miami-Dade County court on Tuesday to face new attempted kidnapping charges.
Miami-Dade Schools Police Department Chief Edwin Lopez released a statement on the case Tuesday afternoon warning pedophiles that detectives are also watching the area outside of the schools.
“A predator has been taken off the streets and will be prevented from victimizing any more children,” Lopez said.
This is a developing story. Local 10 News Photojournalist Mario Alonso contributed to this report.